Being pregnant with twins does not automatically determine that you will give birth prematurely, probably by cesarean section, to two low-birth weight babies who will have to spend some time in the NICU.

Moms who have excellent nutrition (read naturally colorful food that remembers where it came from – no super processed, corn-syrup laden, trans fat drenched beige food that resembles nothing of its source) and who are otherwise healthy and low risk can birth full term normal birth-weight babies naturally.

I know it’s anecdotal, but this very thing happened to my grandmother. Back in the 40´s she was pregnant for the second time. She told me that she got really big, but apparently didn’t have time to think much of it since my grandpa was recently back from the war and she was so busy caring for my 18 month old uncle. Birthing at home was still the norm in her part of Southern Ohio, so she had a second homebirth. After my aunt was born, my mother’s presence wasn’t discovered until the doctor was packing up his bag and the nurse said to all present, “Uh, I think there’s another one in there!” And soon thereafter,my mother was born. Both of them weighed over 7 lbs at birth.

If you are pregnant with twins and would like to have a natural childbirth, it is possible. One of the biggest hurdles to that possibility will be your careprovider. So if you find yourself pregnant with multiples and would like to be given the option of a vaginal childbirth, you may have to extend your search beyond the same OB/Gyn who has done your Pap smears for the past 10 years. Finding a supportive provider has got to be the first step.

After that read books (Like Your Best Birth – I’m really enjoying it – review soon to follow), eat exceedingly well, get regular physical exercise, take a natural childbirth class, choose your birthplace, go to spinningbabies.com to learn exercises and postures that encourage babies to get and remain head-down.

We each  must deal with specific circumstances of the birth we are given, but we can learn ahead of time about the choices we will have along the way.  And for those with multiples, natural childbirth can be an opition.